The ID cards are being made available as part of a new law that will eventually require that identification be shown at polls when voting. Residents without an ID can still vote in the upcoming general election, but they will have to sign an affidavit at the polling location.

Voters who don't already have an acceptable ID, such as a driver's license or a non-driver photo ID issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles, can get one of the new ID cards by getting a voucher from their local city or town clerk's office.

The voucher can then be taken to a DMV licensing office for processing. The voter will get a valid temporary ID card, and a photo ID will arrive in the mail about two weeks later, according to the Secretary of State's Office.

Elections officials said several different kinds of IDs will be acceptable at the polls if a voter wants to avoid having to fill out an affidavit. Acceptable IDs include:

a driver's license from any state, even if expired;

a non-driver photo ID issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles;

a U.S. military ID;

a U.S. passport, even if expired;

a valid student ID;

a valid photo ID card issued by federal, state, county or municipal government;

any photo ID deemed legitimate by a supervisor of the checklist, town or city clerk, or moderator; or

verification of identity by a supervisor of the checklist, town or city clerk or moderator.

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